Category: Sutta Study Reflection Themes

From Craving to Liberation, From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought-World of the Pali Discourses by Bhikkhu Analayo, Chapter 24, Liberation / Vimutti To be read out loud: 24.2 Third paragraph on page 289 to the last full paragraph…

From Craving to Liberation, From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought-World of the Pali Discourses by Bhikkhu Analayo, Chapter 23, Emptiness / Sunnata To be read out loud: 23.1 Second paragraph p. 273 “Hence…” to end of section. 23.3…

From Craving to Liberation, From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought-World of the Pali Discourses by Bhikkhu Analayo, Chapter 22, Letting Go / Vossagga To be read out loud: Third paragraph page 267 through to end of section 22.1…

From Craving to Liberation, From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought-World of the Pali Discourses by Bhikkhu Analayo, Chapter 21 Seclusion/Viveka To be read out loud: First three paragraphs page 260 Last three paragraphs page 263 Section 21.3 in…

From Craving to Liberation, From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought-World of the Pali Discourses by Bhikkhu Analayo, Chapter 20, Concentration/Samadhi To be read out loud: 20.1 From beginning on p. 238 until end of first full paragraph on…

From Craving to Liberation, From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought-World of the Pali Discourses by Bhikkhu Analayo, Chapter 19, Tranquility & Insight To be read out loud: Section 19.1; First paragraph page 230 through second full paragraph page…

From Craving to Liberation, From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought-World of the Pali Discourses by Bhikkhu Analayo, Chapter 18, Insight/Vipassana To be read out loud: Second full paragraph page 208 through the third full paragraph page 209 Third…

From Craving to Liberation, From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought-­World of the Pali Discourses by Bhikkhu Analayo, Chapter 17, Wise Attention: Yoniso Manasikara To be read out loud: 17.3 First paragraph on p. 198 through second full paragraph…

From Craving to Liberation, From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought­World of the Pali Discourses by Bhikkhu Analayo Chapter 16, Knowledge and Vision according to Reality Sections to be read out loud: Second full paragraph p. 185 through second full paragraph p. 186 Second full paragraph p. 187 through second full paragraph p. 188 1st full paragraph p. 189 through 1st full paragraph p. 190 Discussion Theme: This month we are asked to unpack the experience of insight ­ knowledge and vision according to reality. Although an intellectual understanding of what the Buddha taught is helpful, the teachings and practices are pointing to a deepening illumination of the underlying dynamic, non­conceptual and impersonal nature of experiencing (‘Experiencing’, although more awkward sounding, is perhaps a better word than the more static word ‘experience’.) This awakening arises because of a direct and continuous non­conceptual knowing of both the objects and attitudes that are arising and passing. Overtime, wise mindful awareness transforms the mind’s relationship to and dependence on all mental constructions. With practice, the mind views thoughts as natural phenomena, unworthy of attachment or enchantment. Concepts and ideas are seen as limited ­ not a cause for lasting happiness. Venerable Analayo gives examples from the Buddha’s teachings of how each insight or opening comes with greater demands to continue this process of being aware to what has yet to be seen clearly enough. In words, this process of awakening is described by the Buddha in terms of the twelve insights found in the four noble truths teaching, or a deepening of insight into the three characteristics. But actually this process of awakening is a coming to know oneself, as it actually is. Venerable Analayo explains this on pages 189­190. Our task is to abandon all ideas of self (mundane through sublime) in favor of what wise continuous attention reveals as the truth. Let’s commit to this noble work, let’s remember that we can always begin again.

From Craving to Liberation, From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought-World of the Pali Discourses by Bhikkhu Analayo, Chapter 15, Equanimity/Upekkha Sections to be read outloud: 15.2 Top of page 167 through the third paragraph on p. 169 15.3…